ARE HOTELS OPEN IN THE UK DURING LOCKDOWN?
On Monday 4 January, Boris Johnson announced that England was to go into lockdown until at least the middle of February, with this to become law from Wednesday 6 January – although he advised everyone in the country to begin following the new rules immediately. The main message from the UK government is to stay at home in order to protect the NHS and save lives. You must not leave home unless for an essential reason, such as to buy food. During the lockdown, you cannot stay away from home for a holiday or staycation – you’re only permitted to do so for an essential reason such as work, because you are moving house or because you are visiting your support bubble. Hotels and B&Bs may only legally remain open for specific reasons including to accommodate people who are self-isolating, those who live in the hotel or B&B or those who are moving house. Hotels can also remain open to house people who would otherwise become homeless during lockdown. Check the government website for more information on staying away from home overnight during lockdown. To find out more regarding the current situations in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, it is best to check the various government websites directly as the rules may differ.
IS IT POSSIBLE TO STAY IN AN AIRBNB DURING LOCKDOWN?
As mentioned above, it is not permitted to stay away from home for a holiday or staycation, so it is not possible to rent an Airbnb for these reasons. During lockdown in spring 2020 and November 2020, Airbnb introduced temporary booking restrictions in England. Keep an eye on Airbnb.com/en-uk for the latest updates for 2021.
IS IT BETTER TO CANCEL OR POSTPONE MY HOTEL OR AIRBNB BOOKING DURING LOCKDOWN?
We recommend you postpone your trip if at all possible, rather than cancel, both for your own wellbeing, and for the health of the travel industry and the many millions of people who rely on it. See the link below for more on why you shouldn’t cancel your staycation or holiday.Why you shouldn’t cancel your holiday
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WILL I BE ABLE TO GET A REFUND FROM MY HOTEL OR AIRBNB?
This depends on your hotel or Airbnb. Some may be willing to issue a refund, but many may prefer to offer to move the booking to a later date. In the case of Airbnbs, it depends on your individual host’s cancellation policy. If you are cancelling in order to adhere to government rules, you may receive travel credit or part of your money back, though you can then submit official documentation for review in order to request a full refund.
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SHOULD THE UK RETURN TO A TIER SYSTEM, CAN HOTELS OPEN IN TIERS 1, 2, 3 AND 4?
During the tier system in England at the end of 2020, hotels in Tier 1 and 2 could remain open, while hotels in Tier 3 and 4 had to close (for the exact rules in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland it’s best to check the relevant government sites as they slightly differ). To find out which tier specific areas fell under it may be possible to use the government postcode checker again.
SHOULD WE RETURN TO THE TIER SYSTEM IN ENGLAND, WOULD AIRBNB PROPERTIES BE OPEN IN TIERS 1, 2, 3 AND 4?
At the end of 2020, it was possible to stay in an Airbnb or rent another private residence in Tiers 1 and 2, but not in Tiers 3 or 4. And different households were not permitted to mix inside a place that was considered a private residence within Tier 2, as well as Tiers 3 and 4.
WERE HOTELS OPEN IN THE UK OVER CHRISTMAS 2020?
Yes, in Tiers 1 and 2, but not in Tiers 3 or 4. The previously planned easing of tier rules over the Christmas period between Wednesday 23 and Sunday 27 December (and from Tuesday 22 until Monday 28 December in Northern Ireland) were scaled back to Christmas Day only. Previously, it would have been possible to stay in a hotel in Tier 3 during the Christmas dates, but only with your household or support bubble, and not with your Christmas bubble. In light of the change in guidelines, it was best to contact any hotel you had a reservation with in a Tier 3 area to find out whether they would be open on Christmas Day or not. Restaurants and pubs in Tier 3 and 4 were closed. Due to a swift rise in cases of Covid-19 in England in December, the government’s main message remains: ‘Wherever possible people should avoid travelling and minimise social contact.’ The Tier 4 restrictions were reviewed on 30 December. Christmas travel rules and guidelines may have been slightly different in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, so it is wise to check the relevant government sites for confirmation.When will we travel? What the latest lockdown rules mean
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WAS IT POSSIBLE TO STAY IN AN AIRBNB OVER CHRISTMAS?
Much like hotels, overnight stays in Airbnb properties, private rentals, cabins and so on were permitted across Tiers 1 and 2, not permitted in Tier 4, and potentially permitted only on Christmas Day in Tier 3.
Source: cntraveller.com